With only one more sleep until the 2018 Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival kicks off, the dedicated organisers have gathered to launch the event at Black Beach on Thursday. READ MORE: Mississippi’s Deak Harp to headline Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival Fresh from the US, the festival’s headline blues act Deak Harp offered a taste test of what festival-goers can expect, playing his harp for the gathering. Listen to a snippet from this Mississippi maestro in the video below. President of the Kiama Jazz Club Becky Guggisberg said the event was all inclusive and accessible to everyone. “It’s a jam packed program,” she said. “This is our town and our festival – let’s play.” Guggisberg said it was important children had the opportunity to hear live music – something the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival has plenty of. “Kids don’t see enough live music, the sounds they hear are often from computer games, they’re not understanding how those sounds have been distorted from real instruments, and that playing real instruments is really accessible,” she said. “Get your kids out here listening to live music.” Chair of the Tourism Advisory Committee, Councillor Matt Brown said he was looking forward to seeing locals and visitors alike, getting involved in this amazing event. “People can expect to have a lot of fun. There’s going to be a lot of great music, and we want people to come and enjoy themselves, and leave with a big smile on their face,” he said. READ MORE: Original jazz experience puts funk into mambo Cr Brown said the festival had changed significantly in its 30-year history. “The festival has changed so much from a couple of acts and a couple of performances in Hindmarsh Park, to this amazing event now,” he said. “There will be jazz getting played in every nook and cranny – this is so different from when it first started. “I was at Kiama High School, when a couple of teachers decided to form the Kiama Jazz Club, now their students, in particular Becky, are running Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival.”

Fresh from the US, the festival’s headline blues act Deak Harp offered a taste test of what festival-goers can expect, playing his harp for the gathering.

Listen to a snippet from this Mississippi maestro in the video below.

Listen to a snippet from this Mississippi maestro in this video.

President of the Kiama Jazz Club Becky Guggisberg said the event was all inclusive and accessible to everyone.

“It’s a jam packed program,” she said.

“This is our town and our festival – let’s play.”

Guggisberg said it was important children had the opportunity to hear live music – something the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival has plenty of.

“Kids don’t see enough live music, the sounds they hear are often from computer games, they’re not understanding how those sounds have been distorted from real instruments, and that playing real instruments is really accessible,” she said.

“Get your kids out here listening to live music.”

Chair of the Tourism Advisory Committee, Councillor Matt Brown said he was looking forward to seeing locals and visitors alike, getting involved in this amazing event.

“People can expect to have a lot of fun. There’s going to be a lot of great music, and we want people to come and enjoy themselves, and leave with a big smile on their face,” he said.